news and views - Guyana Association of Georgia

NEWS
AND
GAOG Newsletter
--
VIEWS
October, 2013
2014 Georgia Teacher of the Year Jemelleh
Coes is GAOG Scholarship Awards
Banquet Keynote Speaker
Jemelleh Coes, a Special Education Language Arts
and Reading teacher from Langston Chapel Middle
School in Jonesboro, who was recently named as the
2014 Georgia Teacher of the Year served as this year’s
GAOG Scholarship Awards Banquet & Dance Keynote
Speaker. Jemelleh is the daughter of Lloyd Nurse and
Jewel Nurse.
Addressing the 2013 scholarship recipients and
banquet attendees, Mrs. Coes attributed her success to
the strict disciplines she learned from her parents,
grandparents and also her immigrant roots.
Jemelleh Coes – 2014 Georgia Teacher of the Year
A 2003 GAOG Scholarship Recipient, Jemelleh is a
graduate of Southern University and currently chairs
and facilitates a program “Delta Academy” in science,
technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
She mentors homeless girls in Bullock County and is
involved with the Kiwanis and Toastmasters clubs. For
the rest of the year, Jemelleh will serve as state
advocate for public education in Georgia and will
compete with the rest of the country for the title of
National Teacher of the Year.
GAOG congratulates Jemelleh on a magnificent
achievement and wishes her continued success.
(Compiled from several sources)
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
________________________________________________
4 IN MEMORY
GAOG congratulates our 2013
Scholarship Recipients—
6 ANNOUNCEMENT
Yonnel Armstrong
7 EDITOR’S CORNER
Crystal Rose Mussenden
1 COMMUNITY NEWS
Angelique Simmons
Kimberly Isaacs-Heyliger
Tiffany Mohan
NEWS and VIEWS Page 1
In his address to the gathering, the President
touched on some hot topics of interest,
including Guyana’s Economy, the Marriott
Hotel, Amalia Falls, CJIA Expansion, Health Care,
and the Education System.
Concerning the Airport Expansion project, the
President explained that Guyana needs a much
longer runway for larger jets to land. He said he
believes that with a larger airport, Guyana can
emerge as a hub for flights to South America
and other parts of the world such as Africa.
President Donald Ramotar Meets
Guyanese in Stone Mountain
By Marilyn Browne
On Sunday, September 29th President Donald
Ramotar was met by a packed hall of GuyaneseAmericans at the Redan Party Rental & Cultural
Center in Stone Mountain when he visited
Atlanta. The President was accompanied by
First Lady, Deolatchmee. Other dignitaries at
the event included Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency
Ambassador Bayney Karran, Forbes July, Charge
D’Affaires, and Candida Daniels, First Secretary
at the Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Ambassador Karran chaired the event.
A few days earlier, the President had addressed
the United Nations General Assembly 68th
Session in New York. This was his first visit to
Atlanta since his inauguration in 2012.
He argued that the construction of the Marriott
is necessary for the nation to help boost
tourism and accommodate dignitaries when
they visit Guyana. The President said that once
drilling for oil begins in Guyana, the country
may need to build a few additional five-star
hotels similar to the Marriott to accommodate
the number of people who would be going to
Guyana to conduct business.
Addressing the economic situation in Guyana in
general, President Ramotar said that Guyana
has maintained fiscal stability and sustained
economic growth throughout the international
economic downturn at a steady rate of 4% last
year and hopefully, this year that growth rate
will reach 5%. He also stressed the need for a
cheap energy source to support investment and
development.
After his address, residents posed some tough
questions to the Head of State. Some
complained about the lack of direct, non-stop
flights from New York and Miami to
Georgetown. In his response, the President
noted that Fly Jamaica has commenced services
and Travel Span will be starting up their
operations soon. He added that Jet Blue and
other carriers will hopefully, start flying to
NEWS and VIEWS Page 2
COMMUNITY NEWS (cont’d)
Sebrena Sumrah-Kelly Chosen as
One of the Top 25 Women of Atlanta
GAOG congratulations Sebrena on a wellearned distinction. ▪▪▪
President Ramotar Meets
Guyanese in Stone Mountain
(Con’t from Page 1)
Guyana, too and said the Guyana
Government is renegotiating Delta’s return
to Guyana.
By Marilyn Browne
Sebrina Sumrah-Kelly was honored as one
of the Top 25 Women of Atlanta at a special
Awards & Dinner Ceremony held on
Thursday, October 10, 2013 at The Lobby at
Twelve Hotel – Atlantic Station.
The event which is held annually was
organized by Steed Media Group, Inc.
Munson Steed, CEO and Publisher
described the 25 women chosen as “the
best examples of visionaries and business
titans who have found their passion and
become dedicated examples of success in
action.”
Questions concerning renewal of passports,
authentication of documents, and other
consular matters were referred to Embassy
Staff. On the topic of the Diaspora Project,
Minister Rodrigues-Birkett explained that
anyone interested can go to the website
(www.guydproject.iom) and fill out the
survey.
The Diaspora Project was launched one year
ago in New York and is funded through the
Organization for Migration Development
Fund. It was set up to compile a guideline
of skills, resources, and level of interest as
was asserted by the Foreign Minister back
in February in Washington, D.C..
The presidential party left Atlanta Monday,
September 30th on their return to Guyana.
▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪ ▪▪
Among the honorees were R & B Singer,
Songwriter - Angie Stone, CEO of the King
Center - Dr. Bernice King, Fox 5 Atlanta
Anchor - Lisa Rayam, and Owner of The
Bailey Agency/Star of Housewives of Atlanta
- Cynthia Bailey.
NEWS and VIEWS Page 3
IN MEMORY
Walter Alleyne Kyte, Ph.D.
Sunrise - March 29, 1946
Sunset - September 5, 2013
___________________________________________________________
A former Supervisor of School District 23 in Brooklyn, New York, and Associate Professor
of Touro College, Dr. Walter Kyte was involved in many educational initiatives and his
works and passion impacted many for the better. Dr. Kyte held a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Liberal Arts and a double Masters in Special Education and Early Childhood Education.
Later on, he obtained his Ph. D. in Organizational Management. He was a staunch social
change advocate, who took an avid interest in his students, many of whom faced grueling
personal challenges, and he always ensured that they received as much help as they needed to
get an education. In 2011, Dr. Kyte was GAOG’s keynote speaker at our Scholarship
Awards Banquet & Dance. We had just bought the building housing the secretariat and
money seemed elusive at the time. The entire banquet was managed on a shoestring budget
and meager scholarship monetary awards were given out. At short notice, Dr. Kyte promptly
paid his own way and flew in from New York and performed the honor. He did not receive
any remuneration or stipend and he did not expect anything. He leaves a legacy of selfless
dedication and dynamic leadership that should inspire and motivate us to not only think of
ourselves, but to respond to the challenges facing the world today. RIP.
NEWS and VIEWS Page 4
NOTICE
Traditional Guyanese Recipe - _ Egg Flip
GAOG Members:
(dates back to 1863 in England)
The Guyana Association of Georgia will hold its
General Elections on Sunday, November 17,
2013.
Nominations opened on Sunday,
September 15, 2013 and will close on Sunday,
October 20, 2013.
Ingredients
4 eggs separated
4 tbsps. Sugar
Guyana Rum to taste
Listed below are the four (4) vacant positions --
1 pint milk (whole/non-fat)
Treasurer
Grated nutmeg
Assistant Secretary Treasurer
Vanilla Essence
Trustee (2 positions)
Whipped Cream for decoration
To vote, you must be a financial member.
Method – Beat sugar, egg yolks and essence
together. Add rum. Heat milk and add to mixture.
Whisk egg whites until stiff and fold into mixture.
Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of grated
nutmeg. Serve.
Please come out and support your candidates.
▪ ▪ ▪
More Ol’ Guyanese Proverbs (Wisdom)
Proverb - “Contrary breeze ah mek crow and eagle light pon one branch”
Translation: When trouble comes, enemies are sometimes forced to get
together to solve problems
***
Proverb - “Cat a ketch rat, but he a teef he massa fish”
Translation: Good and evil come from the same source
***
Proverb – “Bush get ears and dutty get tongue”
Translation: Sometimes you think no one knows what you do and say, but
yet your secrets are revealed
NEWS and VIEWS Page 5
ANNOUNCEMENT
Yonnel Armstrong - GAOG 2013 Scholarship Recipient
GAOG Awards Scholarship to another University of Guyana Student
Yonnel Armstrong, a freshman at the University of Guyana, has been chosen as
the second scholarship recipient to be sponsored by the Guyana Association of
Georgia. She will be pursuing a 5-year medical degree and has started her
undergraduate classes.
Yonnel comes highly recommended. She excelled at the Caribbean Examinations
Council examinations and met the criteria set by the Executive Board of the
Guyana Association of Georgia. She is also an active member of the Buxton
Community on the East Coast of Demerara.
GAOG wishes Miss Armstrong a clear path to success as she pursues her field of
study.
NEWS and VIEWS Page 6
Executive Board
Dr. William Thomas – President
Marilyn Browne – Vice-President
Jackie Brown – Secretary
Marcus Gordon – Treasurer
Claire Wilson-Daly – Asst.
Secty/Treasurer
Editor’s Corner --
Orrin Marshall – Parliamentarian
To keep GAOG on the move, we invite you to embrace the
______________________________________
Trustees
Basil Blackman
Raul Boston
Andrea Fraser
Gwen Fredericks
Marva Jacobs
Joan Piggott
______________________________________
Committee Chairpersons
Building- Philip Andrews
volunteer in you. Become a critical partner with us and
help move GAOG’s vision forward. You will not only be
helping the community, you will also experience the
positive impact it will have in your own life.
Upcoming Events – General Elections
GAOG will be holding its General Elections on Sunday, November 17,
2013 at the secretariat located at 1970 Panola Road. Nominations
opened on Sunday, September 15th, 2013. Members of the Elections
Committee will be accepting nominations until Sunday, October 20,
2013. To nominate someone or to be nominated for a position, you
must be a current financial member. For more information, please
send your queries to the Committee Chair at
donnadegroot@bellsouth.net.
Communications – Marilyn Browne
Education – Carl Lashley
To become a volunteer, call Gwen Fredericks at gdf5807@hotmail.com.
Finance – Dalton Benn
NEWS and VIEWS is a quarterly publication of the Guyana
Health & Wellness – Doreen Abrams
Association of Georgia, Inc. P.O. Box 360744, Decatur, GA, 30036.
Hospitality – Marilyn FarleyThompson
The views expressed herein are those of the contributors and not
necessarily those of the Guyana Association of Georgia. The
Membership – Gwen Fredericks
Communication Committee reserves the right to edit the content
Sponsorship - Claire Wilson-Daly
and/or length of all submissions. You can contact us at www.gaog.org.
Youth & Culture – Raul Boston
A HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL
NEWS and VIEWS Page 7